The ZAMBIA departed MCT January 16th, being the debut call in Italy for 2M, kicking off the network. The ship is deployed in the Mediterranean – US Gulf string and is followed by the SEALAND ILLINOIS serving the Mediterranean to US
East Coast ports. LSCT steps up today with the ZAMBIA berthed early morning on Fornelli East, followed by the SEALAND ILLINOIS. Both terminals have been gearing up to ensure a reliable service to the new networks, including 2M.

MCT
Managing Director, Domenico Bagalà comments “…. given the word class infrastructure here in Gioia Tauro the usual focus is on ULCC ships and high volume transhipment, whether this be relay to other network strings and/or pure transhipment to connecting ships. But here, I am happy to note that our customers are highlighting the benefits of serving local markets in South Italy, something that is not always recognized, as MCT is well located to serve both import and export traffic regionally:
Bari, Sicily, Naples and its’ extensive hinterland even as far as Rome using rail connections. MCT has always handled local traffic, but clearly transhipment dominates as we shall see in the new networks when the first Asia
–Mediterranean calls arrive shortly…”

Michele Giromini, LSCT Managing Director, adds ” …we thank the 2M network to including the La Spezia System in its’ planning and offer a warm welcome return to Maersk Line direct services between La Spezia and the USA. It is a privilege to count on the world’s top shipping lines to be amongst our valued customers here in LSCT. In the North Tyrrhenian port range, there is a choice of port calls from which the market may select. Why La Spezia? We like to think that it is all about the ability to serve multiple
markets, consistent performance and reliability not only to the ship but also and most vitally to the cargo. The La Spezia System does not overlook this important element. Cargo flows through the System and we are now adding to the number of weekly trains in 2015 compared to 2014. It is well known that the actual market of origin and destination is not in the local city ports, but in the hinterland behind the ports. The La Spezia System extends north, south into the Italian import consumer and export markets as well as Switzerland and beyond. I am sure, like all of our valued customers, that the 2M network will be able to take advantage of what La Spezia provides in the market to support its’ own evolution with reliable and fast transit times to its’ customers.”

The port turned over 6.43 million tons of cargo, 1.6 % more than in the previous year. Stena Line’s Kiel-Gothenburg route recorded the biggest increase in general cargo handling while Color Line’s Kiel-Oslo service posted the strongest growth in passengertransport. During the year a total of 1.98 million passengers started or ended a ferry or cruise ship journey in Kiel – an increase of 1.9 %. Dirk Claus,
Managing Director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG) said:”along with the growth in transport to and from Scandinavia and a rise in bulk cargo handling, there was, however, a decline in business with eastern Europe.The port currently finds itself in a situation adversely affected by the crisis in the Ukraine, a weak Russian currency and new environmental regulations.” While ferry traffic to and from Scandinavia rose by a good 5 % to more than 2.7 million tons, eastern Europe transport showed similar decline to only just about 2.4 million tons. An important growth factor in 2014 has been bulk cargo handling – especially the handling of building materials. Thanks to the expansion of outdoor storage areas in the Scheerhafen, the port was able to handle 370,000 tons of loose gravel for the first time. “Kiel is ideally located to supply the construction industry in the whole of Schleswig-Holstein and as far as Hamburg”, said Dirk Claus. “The Scheerhafen is of great regional importance”, he declared. On the eastern bank of the Kiel Fiord work is meanwhile underway to expand the Ostuferhafen – Kiel’s cargo and logistics hub. Six hectares of additional area are being reclaimed there. Among other things, a new drainage system for the area is being created, interlocking concrete paving laid, lamp posts being erected and the site fenced in to comply with ISPS regulations. “We are creating urgently needed operational and outdoor storage areas to promote further growth in sectors such as forestry products”,
says Dirk Claus. The SEEHAFEN KIEL with the support of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, is investing a total of about 12 million Euros in the Ostuferhafen. The work will be completed in the summer of 2015.